Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
jeudi 15 septembre 2016
The Mystery of the Lost Roanoke Colony and How It May Tie Into AHS
American Horror Story returned last night, and the season six opener was full of the same chills and surprises we're used to. Surprise! Both Sarah Paulson and Cuba Gooding Jr., the stars of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story are the new leads. One huge mystery was also finally solved - the premise. Season six, aka My Roanoke Nightmare, features an old farmhouse and a yuppie couple eager to get away from city life. But the biggest mystery of all is one word, Roanoke, and it takes us all the way back to high school history class.
Roanoke, also commonly known as the Lost Colony, was a 16th-century colony established on Roanoke Island in North Carolina. Led by John White, a renowned artist and close friend of the settlement's founder, Sir Walter Raleigh, it was the first British settlement in North America by the English, and White's granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born on North American soil.
Settling was not easy, and after running into problems with the local tribes, White returned to England to ask for help. It took him three years to return, but when he finally made it back to Roanoke in 1590, the colony was gone and there was only one clue as to the fates of the inhabitants: the word "Croatoan" carved on a fence post.
In the years since, the mystery of Roanoke has been fertile ground for countless ghost stories and conspiracy theories. The preview of the upcoming episodes definitely seems to include more members of the colony, led by Kathy Bates's mysterious character. Whatever happens, we're sure AHS will give the tale full justice this season.
Watching These Best Friends From a Chinese Orphanage Reunite in the US Is the Best Thing You'll See Today
If you've ever wondered what pure joy looks like, just watch the toddlers above. Hannah, 4, and Dawson, 3, were fast friends at a Chinese orphanage but hadn't seen each other for 11 months. You see, Hannah was adopted by the Sykes family in Lewisville, TX, last year. As the Sykeses began the adoption process, they quickly noticed that a little boy was in most of the pictures with their intended daughter.
Once the family went to China to pick up Hannah and saw the bond between the two tots, they knew they had to do something. "When we toured the orphanage and I saw their response to each other, I thought, 'Oh my gosh. We can't leave this boy in China,'" Sharon Sykes told Fox 4 News.
Even before the Sykeses returned to Texas, Sharon posted the little boy's photo on Facebook in hopes that she could find someone to adopt him too. It took less than a day for someone to show Dawson's photo to Chris and Amy Clary, who happen to live five minutes away from the Sykes family. Though they already had three kids age 3 and under, the Clarys couldn't resist the little boy's story. Eleven months later, the Clary family's adoption of Dawson came to a conclusion with the little boy's arrival at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
The moment Dawson and Hannah were reunited at the airport is the purest expression of joy you will ever see. "They must have hugged 400 times. They kept hugging and getting so giddy that they would fall over," Amy Clary told CBS News.
As Sharon wrote in her caption to the video, "Y'all this is such a God thing and an answer to prayer. The right people, in the right place at the right time... A miracle."
Obsess Over This 10-Year-Old Boy Who Grew His Hair Out For 2 Years For Cancer Survivors
my nephew grew his hair out for two years to donate to kids with cancer 😭 http://pic.twitter.com/YuamNNcMEI
- amber lynne (@storkpatrol) September 11, 2016
Two years ago, 8-year-old Thomas Moore saw his mother watching a video on Facebook about a young girl who lost her hair while battling cancer, and he was immediately moved. His mom, Angie Pulos, talked to her son about what cancer was and how chemotherapy can affect one's body, specifically hair loss. Thomas wanted to do something and came up with the idea to grow out his hair to give it to the girl he saw in the video.
Now, two years and a LOT of hair later, 10-year-old Thomas has cut his hair and is being praised for what we're calling the haircut heard around the world. What started as an incredibly compassionate idea for one girl has turned into a tear-jerking effort for multiple kids with cancer. Thomas's aunt Amber Ray posted the before-and-after photos on Twitter and explained that over two years, he grew enough hair to make three wigs!
15 Vampire Diaries Costumes You Can Really Sink Your Teeth Into
As The Vampire Diaries gets ready for its eighth and final season, let's take a look back at some of our favorite characters (living and undead) for a little Halloween inspiration. Not only do Elena and the Salvatore brothers have some iconic looks, but they're also incredibly easy to re-create. So grab some fake vampire teeth and a leather jacket and get ready to kill it with your costume.
Charlie Hunnam's Upcoming Movie, The Lost City of Z, Is 1 Step Closer to Theaters
If you're counting down the days until you get to see Charlie Hunnam on the big screen again, well, we get it. Since Sons of Anarchy ended, Hunnam has been busy working on a variety of projects, including last Fall's Crimson Peak and two upcoming movies: Guy Ritchie's Knights of the Roundtable and The Lost City of Z. The latter will make its world premiere in October, so keep reading for a look at everything we know about The Lost City of Z, then check out Charlie Hunnam movies you can stream on Netflix right now.
American Horror Story: If You Watched Season 1, You've Already Seen This Actress
The first episode of American Horror Story's sixth season brought back a handful of returning alums, plus a couple new faces. However, you may have thought Adina Porter, who plays the "real" version of Lee, is new to the franchise - she's not. Porter, who you may recognize from True Blood or The 100, appeared in the "Murder House" episode of season one. She played Sally Freeman, Ben's patient who disappears when he goes into a blackout. Later it's revealed that he had slit her wrists in front of him, but she survives. Remember her now?
Victoria Justice's Take on This Classic Rocky Horror Picture Show Tune Is Fabulous
On Oct. 20, a creepy-cool live version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is invading your TV screen, and a couple songs from the soundtrack are already out! Nearly the full cast is featured on the recording of "Time Warp," one of the original film's most infamous numbers. Meanwhile, Victoria Justice kind of slays "Touch A Touch A Touch A Touch Me." You can check them out now, plus don't miss the trailer. The official soundtrack will be available on Oct. 21!
"Touch A Touch A Touch A Touch Me"
"Time Warp"
7 Features to Love About the New iPhones and 1 to Dislike
After so many rumors and reports, the new iPhone is finally here. At an event on Sept. 7, Apple announced the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Read ahead for the details.
Here's what we love:
- New colors: In addition to rose gold, gold, and silver, the iPhone will now also come in a simple matte black. A shiny jet black model will only be available on the 128GB and 256GB models.
- A new home button: A force-sensitive home button is now on the new iPhones, using taptic feedback technology. So, the next time you move an app, you'll get a little buzz to let you know it happened.
- Water and dust resistance: The iPhone will finally be water resistant with an IP67 rating.
- New cameras: The 12-megapixel rear-facing camera will now have four LEDs in the flash, meaning 50 percent more light comes out when you take a photo. The iPhone 7 Plus will now have a dual-lens camera. The two lenses are a wide angle and 56mm telephoto one. The dual-lens system allows for a powerful optical zoom of up to 10 times. The front-facing camera is 7 megapixels.
- A brighter screen: The new iPhone display will be 25 percent brighter. The iPhone 7 will have a 4.7-inch display size, and the iPhone 7 Plus will have a 5.5-inch one. These dimensions are exactly the same as the 6S and 6S Plus.
- Better sound with stereo speakers: The new speakers will give out twice the volume.
- Better storage options: The iPhone will now start at a 32GB model with the option to opt for the 128GB or 256GB models instead.
And here's one thing you might not be into:
Say goodbye to the headphone jack: It's true; the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will no longer have a headphone jack. Instead, new earphones, called EarPods, will come with the phone and connect via a lightning cable. An adapter will be included to use with wired headphones. But, if you're into Bluetooth technology, Apple is releasing the AirPods, wireless headphones with a five-hour battery life that can sense when it's in your ear and ready to play music. You can even access Siri on it with a simple double tap.
The iPhone 7 will retail for $649 and the iPhone 7 Plus for $769. Preorders begin on Sept. 9, with a shipping date around Sept. 16. Look ahead to see what the new iPhone looks like.
This Is How Many Jumping Jacks You Need to Do to Work Off Halloween Candy
Before going back to your co-worker's stash for another fun-size Snickers or inhaling half the goodies your kiddo brings home from trick-or-treating, you need to know that even though Halloween candy is small, it still contains calories. Shocker, I know! But really. Knowing the amount of calories doesn't really mean a whole lot, but this (depressing) chart showing how many minutes of jumping jacks you need to do in order to work off Halloween candy will put all those empty wrappers in perspective.
Did you know that one minute of vigorous jumping jacks (about 60) burns nine calories? It may seem like a lot of work, but if you have an uncontrollable Reese's Peanut Butter Cup obsession, what's a few (hundred) jumping jacks?!
| 1 treat size (fun size) | Calories | Minutes of jumping jacks | Number of jumping jacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Musketeers | 63 | 7 minutes | 420 |
| 100 Grand | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Almond Joy | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Baby Ruth | 85 | 9 minutes, 24 seconds | 567 |
| Butterfinger | 85 | 9 minutes, 24 seconds | 567 |
| Charleston Chew | 30 | 3 minutes, 18 seconds | 200 |
| Dots | 70 | 7 minutes, 48 seconds | 467 |
| Heath Bar | 77 | 8 minutes 36 seconds | 514 |
| Hershey's Bar | 67 | 7 minutes, 24 seconds | 447 |
| Jelly Belly Jellybeans | 35 | 4 minutes | 234 |
| Kit Kat | 70 | 7 minutes, 48 seconds | 467 |
| M&M's (Plain) | 73 | 8 minutes, 12 seconds | 487 |
| M&M's (Peanut) | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| M&M's (Peanut Butter) | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Milk Duds | 40 | 4 minutes, 24 seconds | 267 |
| Milky Way | 80 | 8 minutes, 24 seconds | 534 |
| Milky Way Dark | 81 | 9 minutes | 540 |
| Mike & Ike | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| Mounds | 80 | 4 minutes, 24 seconds | 534 |
| Mr. Goodbar | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| Nerds | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| Nestle Crunch | 60 | 6 minutes, 42 seconds | 400 |
| PayDay | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| Raisinets | 67 | 7 minutes, 24 seconds | 447 |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cup | 110 | 12 minutes, 12 seconds | 734 |
| Reese's NutRageous | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Skittles | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Snickers | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Snickers (Peanut butter) | 130 | 14 minutes, 24 seconds | 867 |
| Swedish Fish | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| SweeTarts | 10 | 1 minutes, 6 seconds | 67 |
| Take 5 | 100 | 11 minutes, 6 seconds | 667 |
| Twix | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Whoppers | 100 | 11 minutes, 6 seconds | 667 |
| York Peppermint Pattie | 60 | 6 minutes, 42 seconds | 400 |
Calculations based on a 150-pound woman.
10 Beauty Struggles Only Sisters Can Understand, Told in GIFs
Taylor Frankel launched the successful makeup brand Nudestix with her sister Ally. We are thrilled to share this exclusive, contributing, and creative post from her. Then, learn more about how she started Nudestix here.
Dear Sisters,
We've all been there and the struggle is undoubtedly R-E-A-L. Trust me, from sharing a room with my sister to going to school and now working together at Nudestix, our sisterly vibes are strong. Fortunately, our sister struggles create for the best of times, hilarious memes, and ultimately a community in which sisters can make fun of each others' experiences. So heeeeey to all my sisters! Read on to learn my top 10 beauty struggles only us sisters can understand.
This Is How Many Jumping Jacks You Need to Do to Work Off Halloween Candy
Before going back to your co-worker's stash for another fun-size Snickers or inhaling half the goodies your kiddo brings home from trick-or-treating, you need to know that even though Halloween candy is small, it still contains calories. Shocker, I know! But really. Knowing the amount of calories doesn't really mean a whole lot, but this (depressing) chart showing how many minutes of jumping jacks you need to do in order to work off Halloween candy will put all those empty wrappers in perspective.
Did you know that one minute of vigorous jumping jacks (about 60) burns nine calories? It may seem like a lot of work, but if you have an uncontrollable Reese's Peanut Butter Cup obsession, what's a few (hundred) jumping jacks?!
| 1 treat size (fun size) | Calories | Minutes of jumping jacks | Number of jumping jacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Musketeers | 63 | 7 minutes | 420 |
| 100 Grand | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Almond Joy | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Baby Ruth | 85 | 9 minutes, 24 seconds | 567 |
| Butterfinger | 85 | 9 minutes, 24 seconds | 567 |
| Charleston Chew | 30 | 3 minutes, 18 seconds | 200 |
| Dots | 70 | 7 minutes, 48 seconds | 467 |
| Heath Bar | 77 | 8 minutes 36 seconds | 514 |
| Hershey's Bar | 67 | 7 minutes, 24 seconds | 447 |
| Jelly Belly Jellybeans | 35 | 4 minutes | 234 |
| Kit Kat | 70 | 7 minutes, 48 seconds | 467 |
| M&M's (Plain) | 73 | 8 minutes, 12 seconds | 487 |
| M&M's (Peanut) | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| M&M's (Peanut Butter) | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Milk Duds | 40 | 4 minutes, 24 seconds | 267 |
| Milky Way | 80 | 8 minutes, 24 seconds | 534 |
| Milky Way Dark | 81 | 9 minutes | 540 |
| Mike & Ike | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| Mounds | 80 | 4 minutes, 24 seconds | 534 |
| Mr. Goodbar | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| Nerds | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| Nestle Crunch | 60 | 6 minutes, 42 seconds | 400 |
| PayDay | 90 | 10 minutes | 600 |
| Raisinets | 67 | 7 minutes, 24 seconds | 447 |
| Reese's Peanut Butter Cup | 110 | 12 minutes, 12 seconds | 734 |
| Reese's NutRageous | 95 | 10 minutes, 36 seconds | 634 |
| Skittles | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Snickers | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Snickers (Peanut butter) | 130 | 14 minutes, 24 seconds | 867 |
| Swedish Fish | 50 | 5 minutes, 36 seconds | 334 |
| SweeTarts | 10 | 1 minutes, 6 seconds | 67 |
| Take 5 | 100 | 11 minutes, 6 seconds | 667 |
| Twix | 80 | 8 minutes, 54 seconds | 534 |
| Whoppers | 100 | 11 minutes, 6 seconds | 667 |
| York Peppermint Pattie | 60 | 6 minutes, 42 seconds | 400 |
Calculations based on a 150-pound woman.
Camila Alves Just Wore the 1 Dress Every Minimalist Needs
After a stylish appearance at New York Fashion Week, Camila Alves continued her fashionable run at the grand opening of Restoration Hardware in Austin.
The Brazilian-born model and Yummy Spoonfuls co-founder slipped into an embellished blush toned dress for her gig as the private event's co-host. Camila let the gorgeous floral details at the dress' collar speak for themselves, accessorizing simply with a pair of metallic pumps, rings, and a clutch. Talk about a minimalist-yet-glam look! Keep scrolling to see more pictures of Camila and shop a few similar styles. Then, learn a few things from her must-have wardrobe.
9 Brands That Queen Letizia of Spain Loves to Wear
Queen Letizia's style never ceases to impress us. And if seeing her superfashionable pieces and looks has you wondering if you could ever achieve her level of chicness, rest assured the answer is yes.
All you need is to find the brands you love that work for your body and lifestyle. Letizia knows this well, often turning to a select group of designers, so exclusive we can count the members with two hands. The queen is, for example, a loyal Hugo Boss fan for its elegant and simple dresses that she can wear day in and night out for years. For trendier pieces (capes, bright coats, cool earrings) she might not be fond of in a few months, she turns to fast fashion, reaching for brands like Zara and Mango. See, you already have something in common with her! Scroll ahead to be inspired by the brands the queen depends on for her stylish looks.
You Need to Read This Mom’s Letter to Justice Clothing Store After Her Son Shopped for Clothes "Just For Girls"
Justice is a clothing store known for its sparkly tutus, bright pink T-shirts, and all things tween girl, but this little boy had been wanting to shop there for years, and now his dream finally came true. Martie Todd Sirois, blogger at Gender Creative Life and mother of a gender non-conforming 10-year-old boy, penned a heartwarming letter on Facebook addressed to the store, detailing her son's experience at Justice, and the long journey it took to get them there.
"My 10-year-old gender non-conforming son has been wanting to shop at Justice since he was 4, when he would tag along with his big sister shopping for clothes," Sirois wrote. "After about age 11, she outgrew Justice and we hadn't gone in the store for years. He ended up always begrudgingly trying on clothes from the boys departments along with his older brother. But he hated it. He avoided trying on clothes at all costs. Back-to-school shopping was a chore he dreaded to the extreme."
She explained that because her son does not identify as a girl, they felt they couldn't shop there. "There was just something off-putting about those words on your window, reading, 'Just for girls,' that kept us away time and time again."
After speaking with fellow members of a support group, one of the women spoke to the local Justice store manager asking what she thought about a boy shopping there, and she said that "everyone is welcome at Justice."
"We rushed to get there, and just around 5:10 arrived. There were no other customers in the store. My son's eyes were huge and overwhelmed with possibilities. Stephnie came right over to greet us, didn't bat an eyelash, and basically took on the role of my son's personal shopper for the evening. After getting a feel for what colors, textures, and patterns he liked, Stephnie showed us several possibilities, from sequined mini skirts to slim jeggings. My son LOVED them all. We went to the changing room, and my son couldn't get those clothes on fast enough. Once that first outfit was on, he posed and admired himself in the mirror, spun around in circles to see the skirt poof out, and studied himself from all angles in every possible combination of outfits. It was pure joy. My son dropped his frequent doom and gloom look and suddenly sprang to life in these clothes. There was no denying he became a different, more confident, and happier child when wearing pretty things."
She made sure to thank the kind manager for her time and open heart: "She made my son feel beautiful and totally free of judgment. I want to thank her for that precious, precious gift. I rarely get to see my son being his full potential, his absolute true self in public. She encouraged that and even helped bring it out. I felt so much hope for the future."
Prepare Yourself, Earthling: This Rare GIF of a "Ring of Fire" Eclipse Is a MUST See
Get ready for your jaw to drop. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) captured an incredible sight on Sept. 1: a double eclipse.
The rare event, called a "ring of fire" or annular eclipse, occurs when both the Earth and the moon travel "across the face of the sun." In the video below, you'll see that Earth's shadow is more fuzzy and the moon's is more clear.
Unlike a solar eclipse, the annular eclipse only happens when "the moon is at a point in its orbit farther from Earth than average." Because of this, the moon ends up looking smaller, leaving the sun exposed and creating a "ring of fire" look. You can take a closer look at the phenomenon below.
Thank you, NASA, for once again capturing an incredible sight for all us tiny earthlings to enjoy.
American Horror Story Is Ending Way Earlier Than Usual This Year
American Horror Story seems hell-bent on defying all our expectations, so it didn't come as a shock when it was announced that season six would premiere in mid-September, as opposed to October, when it usually debuts. Personally, I figured they moved up the premiere date as a precaution against plot details leaking prematurely. I assumed it would run straight through Christmas and conclude with a couple episodes after the new year, like every season except the first has done. Well, I was wrong. Ryan Murphy spoke to Vanity Fair before the first episode, and he confirmed that the season will conclude before Thanksgiving: "I always watch that show live, and I really love it in the beginning when it's fall, when it's Halloween and before Thanksgiving. And then after that, I just don't want blood with my Christmas ornaments. I just don't."
Given the amount of weeks between Sept. 14 (the premiere date) and Thanksgiving, that means this season will be 11 episodes or less. Better strap in.
Holographic Lipstick! Plus 5 More Unique Beauty Products You Didn't Know You Needed
When you're obsessed with cosmetics, skin care, and anything hair-related, it's hard to be surprised. We often see brands pump out the same type of products, and the redundancy can get boring. (It's also what makes us stick to our favorite tried and true products!) But the beauty (puns!) of the cosmetics world is being able to try out new things and experiment a little, and when a brand comes out with a product we've never heard of before, it gets us super excited.
These five products might not be brand-stinkin'-new or revolutionary, but they work. And they're got some power: they're trending in the beauty world! From microcurrent facials that shock you to build collagen to holographic lipstick (YES!) to spray-on nail polish, check out our favorite products to pick up next time you hit Ulta Beauty.
On Kirbie: Rebecca Taylor dress.
Products featured in video:
Tony Moly Banana Sleep Pack ($17)
Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit ($24)
Too Faced La Créme Color Drenched Lip Color in Unicorn Tears ($22)
NuFace Mini Facial Toning Device ($199)
China Glaze Spray-On Nail Polish ($10)
Kenra CC Hair Cream ($25)
This Makeup Artist's Comic Book Transformations Will Make Your Skin Crawl
Canadian makeup artist Lianne Moseley has recently received widespread attention for her terrifyingly true-to-life renderings of famous comic book, video game, and pop culture characters. Moseley frequently models her own creations on Instagram, however, she also offers her services to other cosplayers.
Though the makeup artist is skilled at painting comic book sirens, her villainous characters are particularly chilling. (Seriously - we might have a hard time sleeping after seeing her Joker impersonation.) While it might be difficult to re-create Lianne's advanced work this Halloween, consider it a jumping-off point for your own costume. Look ahead for some of our favorites.
A Paralympic Hand-Cyclist Wins Gold Just Before the Anniversary of His Tragic Accident
Alex Zanardi had been a successful racing driver for over 10 years when he suffered a tragic crash that resulted in the amputation of both his legs. After fully recovering, Alex returned to the wheel and was able to continue racing with the help of prosthetic legs and a hand-operated brake. Around the same time, Alex also took up hand-cycling, which you could certainly say he's excelled at.
On the eve of the 15-year anniversary of his accident, Alex won the gold medal for the 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) hand-cycling race at the 2016 Paralympic Games. He completed the race in an astounding 28:36.81. This will be his third Paralympic gold medal, as he had previously won two at the 2012 games in London.
In an interview with BBC, Alex expressed feeling grateful for his recent success. He said, "Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life. All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition."
15+ Small and Stylish Planners That'll Keep You Organized All Year
Whether you're religiously organized or just trying your best to keep your life in order, chances are you're looking for a functional (read: small enough to throw in your bag and go) agenda that will keep you focused - right?
We have good news: there are plenty of practical, stylish, and purse-friendly options out there for all your planning needs! Keep scrolling to shop some seriously chic options, then check out even more back-to-school essentials.
Acetaminophen product makers told to boost warnings by Health Canada
Health Canada tells makers of over-the-counter products to provide clearer label instructions and stronger warnings on products containing acetaminophen to prevent liver damage.
Acetaminophen product makers told to boost warnings by Health Canada
Health Canada tells makers of over-the-counter products to provide clearer label instructions and stronger warnings on products containing acetaminophen to prevent liver damage.
A Paralympic Hand-Cyclist Wins Gold Just Before the Anniversary of His Tragic Accident
Alex Zanardi had been a successful racing driver for over 10 years when he suffered a tragic crash that resulted in the amputation of both his legs. After fully recovering, Alex returned to the wheel and was able to continue racing with the help of prosthetic legs and a hand-operated brake. Around the same time, Alex also took up hand-cycling, which you could certainly say he's excelled at.
On the eve of the 15-year anniversary of his accident, Alex won the gold medal for the 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) hand-cycling race at the 2016 Paralympic Games. He completed the race in an astounding 28:36.81. This will be his third Paralympic gold medal, as he had previously won two at the 2012 games in London.
In an interview with BBC, Alex expressed feeling grateful for his recent success. He said, "Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life. All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition."
Kourtney Kardashian's Swimsuit Is Sexy, but It's Her Sunglasses That Steal the Show
Typically, a bright colored, low-cut swimsuit is all a star needs to steal the fashion spotlight. Our eyes focus on the sexy design, and if we're into it? We'll search for similar options, ASAP. But Kourtney Kardashian's one-piece wasn't what we were looking at when she splashed around on a Miami beach with Scott Disick and her kids. It was her sunglasses that truly stood out - a mirrored shield style pair that looked a bit futuristic.
Being the Instagram queen she is, Kourtney immediately shared a snap of her look, and reviews on the statement piece were mixed. "WTF are those glasses?" one commenter said, while others wanted to know where they could purchase a pair themselves. Scroll through to come to your own conclusion about Kourtney's shades, then snag a similar style if you're digging 'em.
Hold Up, So Is Roanoke Actually the Theme for American Horror Story Season 6?
Let's get down to business, because FX has already wasted enough of our time tossing out morsels of information possibly related to American Horror Story season six. The first episode in what has maybe been the most mysterious season of any show in history premiered on Wednesday night, and if you're anything like me, you were holding your breath all day waiting to find out what the theme is. After so many months without a peep from Ryan Murphy and co., we came to the conclusion in July that they wouldn't be telling us anything about the new season until it was actually on our TV screens. This was, of course, confirmed in August, when FX Networks CEO John Landgraf point-blank told critics at the Summer TCA that the teasers aren't connected and that only one of the many represents the real theme of the new season. While we all have a right to be pissed off at the lack of clarity, you have to appreciate that it's a somewhat genius move, expecially for a series that has been so explicitly in-your-face with marketing schemes in the past. (Think about the months of real teasers that deluged us prior to every other season.)
So after all this hype, season six premiered. Cue the drumroll, because we're finally getting a theme! Right? Right? Lily Rabe and Andre Holland - neither of whom were previously announced at cast members - appear separately onscreen in what feels like one of those ghost encounter documentaries on the upper cable networks. "My Roanoke Nightmare" flashes on the screen, and continues to do so before every single commercial break. What. Is. Happening.
Is this the theme? It certainly doesn't feel akin to any of the previous titles: Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel - they're all simplistic and self-explanatory. My Roanoke Nightmare sounds more like an episode title than an overarching theme. In fact, that's the theory I adopted halfway into the premiere. Perhaps the creators were getting bored with one theme for an entire season, so they would be anthologizing their own anthology, making each episode a different ghost story. It would also explain why so few actors are in the premiere when we already know the cast is chock-full of Murphy's past collaborators.
It made a lot of sense, until the episode ended - five minutes early, mind you. We're left with a cliffhanger, and the preview for episode two confirms that we're still following Shelby and Matt's story next week. The short teaser also confirms that yes, the Lost Colony of Roanoke is a major part of the story, Kathy Bates is definitely that indestructible colonial woman, and Denis O'Hare is the guy on the tape who finds the pig-man.
So yes, it appears that at least for now, My Roanoke Nightmare is the theme. Apart from the title itself, the format of the season is already very different. Actors are playing "dramatic reenactment" versions of other characters, we already know that three people (Shelby, Matt, and Lee) survive their ordeal in the woods, and the entire vibe of the show is like nothing we've seen on previous seasons. As Ran Murphy told Vanity Fair before the premiere, he's trying to keep things "fresh." Well as his former AHS star and current ingenue would say . . .
This New Development Makes Pokémon Go WAY Better
Pokémon Go is about to get a lot easier - and more fun. You no longer have to look at your phone while walking or running, because Pokémon Go is coming to the Apple Watch!
While Apple Watch users will still have to open the app to catch a Pokémon, you'll be able to track which ones are nearby on your watch so you never have to miss any rare Pokémon again. You'll also be able to track how far you've walked and how close any eggs you're incubating are to hatching. And when they do hatch, you'll instantly see which Pokémon you got right on the screen.
As a bonus, you'll also be able to use your wrist to activate Pokéstops without having to pull out your phone. Your watch will vibrate, after which you just need to swipe to collect items, exactly like in the game.
The Apple Watch app will arrive later this year, but you can bank on the fact that we'll be watching and waiting for more details over the coming weeks.
Kate Middleton's Favorite Brand Just Released a Whole Collection Inspired by Her Style
You've probably heard of Hobbs London. Kate Middleton's worn the label for many important occasions, and she's a fan of the accessories too, counting a suede gray clutch as a wardrobe staple. So it's only fitting that Hobbs pay homage to the duchess's iconic style. In fact, the label's Fall collection is a tribute to the entire royal family and their home, Kensington Palace.
Bright floral prints are inspired by the famous Sunken Gardens, and there's a wear-with-anything tartan blazer made simply because Queen Victoria favored the fabric. Today, it's considered a working woman's essential. And because so many members of Kate's family were equestrians, you'll find a sophisticated horse print and textured saddle bag to match.
Read on for a look at the full campaign and the gorgeous pieces, then shop your favorite picks online. You'll fit right in at the palace (or anywhere else) seamlessly.
Everyone Can Go Home Now, Because Jessica Alba Wins Fashion Week With Her Amazing Style
Jessica Alba's closet must be the most wonderful thing ever. The actress and entrepreneur is incapable of choosing a bad outfit, because everything she owns is just fashion gold - and she has proved that this week by wearing one gorgeous look after another during her stay in New York City for Fashion Week. From crop tops and her own Jessica Alba x DL1961 jeans to curve-hugging skirts and dresses and fun duster coats that made us wish for colder weather, Jessica was a walking Pinterest board called "Fall Fashion Inspiration." Keep scrolling to see all the amazing pieces she wore, then discover her family's powerful story in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
After a Toddler With Disabilities Outgrew His Walker, 3 Home Depot Employees Built Him a Custom Option
While people usually turn to their local Home Depot employees for advice on selecting the right products for their projects, a few Texas workers volunteered to take things a step further and gave more than just their helpful opinions for a very special cause.
When Matthew Spencer, the Richland Hills's store assistant manager, first greeted a new customer, he met Silus Johnson's great-grandfather. Matthew quickly learned that 2-year-old Silus has Norrie disease, which has left him blind and with little muscle tone. Since he has outgrown the standard infant walkers, Silus's determined grandfather envisioned building him a custom option.
Instead of pointing him in the right direction of supplies, Matthew immediately had an idea and brought his colleague Eric Bindel over. "I have a 2-year-old of my own and so does Chris," Eric told Fox 4. "I just dove right into it and said just drop it right there, give us his dimensions and we'll get everything going for you and build it for free."
Along with tool technician Chris Wright, the three started with 1-inch PVC and spent two days creating a custom walker that can grow with Silus. "As soon as we put him in there, it was just really cool. He started feeling around on it. You could tell he was happy. He was excited," Eric said. "He started laughing and then started using his little feet to push himself backwards. I had a big smile. Everybody had a big smile, maybe a couple little tears here and there."
For Silus's mom, Jessica Johnson, this act of kindness from complete strangers isn't one that is being taken for granted. "We need to recognize these gentlemen who put their heart and hard work into making this for my son. They don't even know us," Jessica said. "I've prayed for them that God could bless their families because they've definitely blessed ours."
mercredi 14 septembre 2016
Top Off Your Ghoulishly Glam Harley Quinn Costume With This Easy Hair DIY
POPSUGAR correctly predicted last year that quirky-creepy Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad) would be an insanely popular Halloween costume for 2016. YouTubers - including the famous NikkieTutorials - are perfecting the comic book villain's ghoulish take on glam for this October.
But while you've probably mastered your faux face tattoos and perfect red lip by now, there's still a major aspect of Harley's look you need to nail down: her punky pigtails! We consulted with Bambi Saunders of Rudy's Barbershop, who whipped up this supereasy hair DIY. All you'll need is hair chalk, elastics, a curling iron, and some ribbon. Bonus: this style works especially well on dirty hair. (We think Harley herself would approve.)
Model: Sophia
Makeup: Dylan Domingos
Photography: Aileen Son
Here's How to Get "Slide to Unlock" Back on iOS 10
Every new iOS update always feels like it's getting a whole new phone. The latest update from Apple, iOS 10, is no exception: use new emoji, play with fun effects on iMessage, and finally delete all the useless apps you don't like. However, one feature is driving people insane: the new way to unlock your phone. Before iOS 10, all you needed to do was place your finger on the home button to activate Touch ID and ta-da, your phone would open. Or, if you didn't use Touch ID, you could swipe to unlock your phone. Now, you need to actually press on the home button to unlock the phone. Thankfully, you can change that setting easily by following the steps ahead. You're welcome!
This Is Olivia Palermo's Boldest Collection of Fashion Week Outfits to Date
It's not a surprise that Olivia Palermo turns up in the front row at Fashion Week looking impossibly chic; it's become more routine each season. We expect a stellar showing of outfits from the style setter, and that's exactly what we get, with Olivia working over time to give us multiple looks in a single day (as she jets from show to show), adding up to outfit fodder that'll last all season.
We're calling this Olivia's boldest Fashion Week to date. The trendsetter's crafted an aesthetic that manages to land in the sophisticated style camp, though one foot is firmly stepping into eclectic, almost quirky, territory. She toes the line effortlessly, balancing big designer names with bargain buys and the pieces from her own Nordstrom collection. Suffice it to say, despite the many, many stylish women flocking to the shows, we've always got our eye on Olivia. Read on to see her week in outfits thus far.
40+ Costumes You Can Wear This Halloween If You're Obsessed With The CW
There are tons of TV characters you can impersonate this Halloween, but some of the best have to be on The CW. Whether you're into fantasy dramas like Supernatural or you just love a good telenovela like Jane the Virgin, the options for costumes are endless. From vampires to superheroes and all that's in between, we've rounded up some of the best ideas here.
23 Celebrity Costumes You Can Actually Copy
Elaborate Halloween costumes à la Heidi Klum can be fun, but they require a whole lot of effort to actually pull off. Sometimes (like when it's Oct. 30 and you have nothing planned!) going with a look that can be put together with items already hanging in your closet or parts that are easy to find at a thrift shop makes more sense. Celebrities themselves have often taken the easier approach, and we've rounded up their simple dress-up ideas to serve as your inspiration!
Runway Shows Are Also Concerts - and 9 More Fashion Week Moments You Can't Miss
It can be damn hard to keep up with everything that's going on at Fashion Week. Our feeds are filled with twice the snaps, and every look, every street style accessory, every front-row sighting seems exciting. This season, we're taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. What moments from NYFW truly mattered? What shows, controversies, and industry shifts will we remember not only through London, Milan, and Paris, but far into the future? Read on for all the happenings that really got us talking. And remember, if you lose your way in all the style madness this week, the major takeaways live right here.
The Easy Way to Block Contacts From Sending Messages or Calls
Whether it's a salesperson, frenemy, or someone you just need a digital break from for a bit, Apple lets you limit the communication received from the outside world. If you have people or unknown, annoying numbers that you'd prefer not to see messages or receive phone and Facetime calls from, follow the instructions below.
Add a Contact to the Blocked List
Block someone from calling or texting you one of two ways:
- To block someone who has been added to your phone's Contacts, go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking and Identification > Block Contact. The All Contacts window will appear where you can scroll through names to then tap the name of the contact you'd like to block. You'll be taken back to the Blocked window with the name added to the list of blocked contacts.
From Settings, contacts can also be blocked selecting either Messages or Facetime, and then following the above instructions.
- In instances where you want to a block a number that isn't stored as a contact in your phone, go to the Phone app > Recents. Look for the number (or name) you'd like to block and tap the blue "i" with a circle around it to the right of the number. Scroll down to the bottom of the contact card that appears and select "Block This Caller." The message "You will not receive phone calls, messages, or FaceTime from people on the block list" will appear with two options: Block Contact or Cancel. Hit Block Contact to add the number to the big, bad blocked list.
Block from Messages by selecting the message thread with the contact and tapping the blue "i" in the upper right corner. Tap on their number and then proceed with the same instructions as in the Recents tab in Phone.
Unblock a Contact
Decide an acquaintance served their time on the blocked list and want to digitally revive them? Like adding someone to the blocked list, they can be removed two ways:
- In Settings go to Phone > Call Blocking and Identification, where a list of blocked contacts and numbers will appear. Tap Edit in the top right hand corner. Then, tap the red delete button to the left of the name, which will cause a red unblock button appear. Select it, and the contact is restored to unblocked bucket, with all rights, privileges and honors appertaining thereto.
From Settings, contacts can be removed from a blocked list by selecting either Messages or Facetime, and then following the above instructions.
- Find the contacts' name or the number you'd like to unblock in the Recents tab of the Phone app. Select the blue icon to the right of their name, then scroll down and tap "Unblock This Caller."
Unblock the contact via Messages by selecting the message thread with the contact, and tapping the little blue "i" in the upper right corner. Select the information icon, and proceed with the same instructions as in the Recents tab in Phone.
Will The Contact Know They're Blocked?
Short answer: no. But a perceptive friend might notice that they can never get a hold of you. When someone in your blocked list calls, they'll be immediately sent to voicemail. Any message left in voicemail will be put in a separate folder called "Blocked Messages," to which you can listen.
If the contact tries to send you a text or iMessage, from their end, it will look like the message was sent, though you - thanks to your craftiness - will not actually have to see the message.
Take note, blocking contacts goes one way, meaning you can still call, text, or FaceTime the numbers you've listed in Blocked. So if the blocking is also to limit yourself from communication with a certain person, better go ahead and delete their number completely from your phone.
Should you continue to get unwanted phone calls from spammers or marketing companies, consider adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
American Horror Story: Watch All 26 Terrifying Season 6 Teasers
Dozens of teasers have been released for American Horror Story season six (premiering Wednesday night!) in the last two months, and we couldn't help but notice that they didn't feel, well, related in the slightest - turns out that's because they're not. In August, FX Networks CEO John Landgraf revealed that the show's marketing team "went out and created many more trailers than you've actually seen for hypothetical seasons of American Horror Story, in different genres, different places. One of them is accurate, and the others are all misdirects." Wow. "There is a theme and a setting and a place and time, but we're not going to reveal it because we think it will be fun for the audience to have the surprise this year." So we were right all along about the network purposely not releasing information!
For now, we can only speculate about the return of the Antichrist and a sinister cult. We'll have our answer soon enough.
These Runway Shoes Look So Comfortable, Our Feet Can Hardly Wait For Spring
Shoes may not be the first thing you notice when you're watching a runway show. But when you're scanning a full look, they can hardly be ignored. Keeping the industry's obsession with sneakers in mind, we paid close attention to the footwear at Fashion Week. It was tough to miss the sock boots at DKNY or the fringed moccasins that added an element of surprise to Alexander Wang's lineup. Despite the wide variety of trends here - there are slides, laced jazz shoes, functional sneakers, and more - your feet can rest easy. Next season looks effortless and heel-less if you want it to be.
Real Women Share How They Lost 25 to 100 Pounds - Without Calorie Counting
Is calorie counting a thing of the past? For some women, the answer is "hell yeah!," and I'm in major support of this movement. Throughout my whole life, I've noticed how calorie counting has had this uncanny ability to create an incredibly unhealthy relationship between a woman and her food - starting as early as 5 years old.
I recently reflected on how much my mother shaped my body image and relationship with food, and afterward she reminded me of a story from my time in kindergarten. I had come home from school crying; a little girl at my lunch table had told me chocolate milk would make me fat because it had too many calories. My sweet mom sat me down, had me look at a nutrition label on some chocolate milk, and told me that my growing brain and body needed those calories and that they were healthy and good. To this day, I freakin' love chocolate milk (thanks, Mom). Also, when I read labels, I look for things like protein content, fat, and sugar to evaluate if it's something I want to be eating.
"Food is food and it can be used for fuel or pleasure, but it doesn't define my character."
While counting calories can certainly have its place, for many women, the sheer idea of it has also vilified different foods in our minds. I spoke with a woman named Brooke, who lost over 100 pounds - without calorie counting - and she summed it up quite well: "For so long I viewed food as a moral issue, like certain foods were 'good' or 'bad' and if I ate them I was 'good' or 'bad' . . . But that's warped. Food is food and it can be used for fuel or pleasure, but it doesn't define my character."
Yet if we can't quantify our food to lose weight, what can we do? As it turns out, several things. Six women I've spoken to in the past few months have given insight as to how they lost weight, ranging from 25 pounds to 100-plus, all by making sustainable changes to their diet that have nothing to do with calorie counting.
The 80/20 Approach
Kara Hamill told us that calorie counting was never her key to success - and she lost 30 pounds in 4 months. "There is way too much stress involved with counting calories!" she told POPSUGAR. "I used to do it but quickly realized it was all I would think about all day. I eat clean Monday through Friday and dabble with some comfort food on the weekends."
This mindset and diet concept is called the 80/20 rule. There's no rigidity, no counting, just making better choices, most of the time. This can mean whatever you want it to mean. Are four of your five daily meals super clean, and the fifth is a cheeseburger or a dessert? Awesome. Are six days a week clean eating days, and on the seventh you eat what you want? Great!
The key is balance. If you're focusing on healthier choices for most of the week or day, the rest falls into place, and you never feel restricted, starved, or like you're missing out on certain foods. There's also ZERO counting involved.
Kara's refrigerator staples are things like spring mix organic lettuce, baby spinach, hummus, Greek yogurt, chicken breast, coconut water, and kombucha - all very healthy foods! But she loves "good food and wine," and saves those for date nights with her husband. Sounds like a good life!
Flexible Dieting: IIFYM
Carrie McMahon was one of the first women who introduced me to the concept of counting macronutrients, or "macros." And since then, I've noticed that tons and tons of women are following this same diet concept, which focuses on the quality of calories versus the quantity: how many fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are you eating?
Counting macros is often referred to as flexible dieting, as it doesn't eliminate any food groups, yet helps you quantify your good choices and your "fun" choices, as trainer Brittany Dawn would put it. Brittany lost 50 pounds with this concept; you check the food to see "if it fits your macros," (IIFYM, as it's called in the fitness world) and go from there.
Brittany attributes her flexible diet to what helped her overcome anorexia athletica. "It's something I think many women deal with but are scared to admit," she said. "Flexible dieting was really the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It allowed me to incorporate foods that I enjoy eating without ever feeling restricted. Today, I'm binge-eating-free . . . almost two years . . . and I love the freedom of the dieting approach I take."
As mentioned, she refers to her treat foods as "fun foods," which is a really healthy and positive approach (much nicer than "cheat meal"). "I now incorporate healthy foods but fun foods, too . . . in moderation. It's all about balance."
"It wasn't until I quit the calorie counting that I finally gained a healthy relationship with food, my body, and my life."
Carrie had a similar binge-eating experience with restricting her calories. "I restricted my intake, counted calories . . . didn't allow myself to eat bread, pastries, cheese, chocolate, and all of the 'good stuff' except on my 'cheat day,' which was once a week," she said in her e-book, Why You Should Count Macros, Not Calories. "Well, my cheat days would almost always turn into an 'eat everything in sight' kind of day. This restrict/binge cycle led to guilt, and that guilt that completely took over my life and buried me in a dark hole. It wasn't until I quit the calorie counting lifestyle and picked up a flexible based diet through macronutrient tracking that I finally gained a healthy relationship with food, my body, and my life."
Mindful Eating and Meal Prep
Brooke told us that a key to her over-100-pound loss was a combination of mindful eating and meal prep. "Being obese, the priority was changing my eating habits and beliefs about food," she said. By partaking in mindful eating, Brooke was able to slow herself down and control portions.
So how does mindful eating work? It's essentially just more conscious eating. You think before, during, and after you eat, and you eat more slowly to ensure you feel satiated at the right time (i.e., before inhaling your food like a vacuum while thinking about other things). The opposite of mindful eating is mindless eating, like eating at your desk, while you're driving, while you're walking, or while you're watching TV. Sound familiar? It's a surefire way to pack in extra unwanted calories. You don't have to count, you just have to slow down.
In the same vein, Brooke took her mindfulness and put it into her preparation for the week. "Preparing meals at home is one of the most effective ways to manage weight, but it has to be easy and enjoyable or it won't happen consistently." Make sure you're mixing things up when you're meal prepping to avoid getting bored with your food, and consider your healthier choices.
Focus on the Positive: Find Healthy Foods You Love
Every single woman I spoke to referred to this concept as the main idea that helped them lose weight. Starting with Brooke, her first "small step" to major weight loss was "adding a green vegetable to every meal." By finding these foods that she loved, she was replacing poorer food choices with healthier ones, without even thinking about what she was "cutting out."
Caitlin lost 25 pounds this way. When we asked her how many calories she eats per day, she had no idea. "I try not to count and to feed myself what feels good and not obsess over numbers," she said. What feels good to Caitlin? "tons of veggies, a smoothie bowl, protein pancakes, fruit, eggs, and maybe a little quinoa." Her daily diet is incredibly balanced, and she'll still have "a cookie or some fruit as dessert."
"I try not to count, to feed myself what feels good, and not obsess over numbers."
Focusing on the healthy choices you do love is far less paralyzing, and opens you up to a world of choices. By honing in on better foods that you enjoy eating, you'll thing so much less about what you "can't" or "shouldn't" eat. This positive approach to weight loss makes it much more sustainable.
Kat, who lost 40 pounds, had the same feelings. "I've never really tracked calories; it is definitely helpful for some people, but in my opinion it's all about making good choices," she said. "It's all about knowing what is good or bad for your body, being aware of what you're consuming, and as long as it's healthy calories, the weight will come off." Her favorite healthy foods are vegetables and greens, so that definitely helped in her success.
So take whatever approach works best for you, but know that if calorie counting isn't working, it's more than OK. You absolutely can lose weight without counting calories, and you'll probably have a better relationship with food as a result - but don't take my word for it, take theirs.
Parents Who Make Their Kids' Halloween Costumes Give Me Mommy Guilt
I can still hear the hum of the sewing machine in the sitting-room portion of my parents' bedroom. I was surrounded by yards of fabric, McCall's patterns, and cushions filled with primary-colored pins. Standing there, my mother would wrap me in fabric and pin it according to the patterns as we set out to make my dream Halloween costume each year.
The ritual would take place the first week in October. I'd spend the week before dreaming up my perfect costume. When I was little, I paid homage to my favorite show - Sesame Street. As I grew older, the choices were more personal. Pocahontas, the year I studied the American colonies so closely. A cheerleader the year the Washington Redskins made it to the Super Bowl. The Statue of Liberty the year I declared I wanted to move to New York City (it only took 10 more years for that to become a reality). And my favorite, the shower, an idea stolen from The Karate Kid after I became obsessed with the movie that Summer.
The Statue of Liberty was truly one of my favorite costumes. We had to layer up under it due to a cold spell that year but tried to color coordinate so it wouldn't take away from the costume.
Once the costume was decided upon, there was no turning back. Mom went to work getting patterns (there was no internet back in the '80s, so there was no Pinterest to consult for ideas), and I went to work standing as her model as she cut, pinned, sewed, and beaded each costume at night after our homework was done. Sometimes my brother and I were coordinated, but once we were old enough to have an opinion, we were allowed to select our own costumes. The big reveal, usually a few days before Halloween, included walking a runway of sorts for my father's approval. And he always approved with a big round of applause.
Pocahontas was a labor of love. There was beading, and fringe, and though you can't see them, adorable moccasins too.
But Halloween today doesn't look quite the same. In the age of Amazon Prime, my kids' costumes are more likely to come from a package than from my handiwork. And it makes me sad. Sure, they look adorable and they look more like the characters and sports stars they are dressing up as than my brother and I did, but their costumes lack the creativity and individuality of those we wore 30 years ago.
When I asked my mom if she enjoyed making us all of those costumes for all of those years, she laughed. She never really enjoyed the process (she thinks I'm looking at it with rose-colored glasses), but she says there really wasn't any other choice. Packaged costumes were expensive and made of cheap plastic that never felt safe. And she says there just wasn't much variety, so handmade was the only option. Though she wasn't a master tailor, she knew her way around a sewing machine, so she could do it.
My boys' store-bought costumes. They don't look too upset that Mom didn't make them.
Now, high school home ec class taught me how to sew - I made a mean apron back in the day - but in my small New York City apartment, I don't even own a sewing machine. So unless I'm gluing or hand-sewing, it just isn't going to happen. And while I can blame my children's lack of homemade costumes on the fact that I'm a full-time working mother who doesn't have time to visit fabric stores and cut and pin patterns, I don't think my kids would appreciate it even if I did it. In the age of Amazon, they see images of exactly what they want online, click a button, and two days later the costumes arrive picture perfect - with all of their various accessories - just in time for tick-or-treating. They also do so at a fraction of the cost of me making them from scratch.
Still, I drool over those beautiful handmade costumes that flood Pinterest, because I know how much work and love go into making them.
So while I'll lament the fact that my kids won't grow up with memories of me sticking them with pins and groaning as I pinch the fabric "just a bit tighter," I'll know that this is just my "mommy guilt complex," not an actual thing they're lacking in their childhoods. And who knows, maybe one day they'll look back at the time we spent huddled around the computer looking at costumes online and think those are great memories too!
Real Women Share How They Lost 25 to 100 Pounds - Without Calorie Counting
Is calorie counting a thing of the past? For some women, the answer is "hell yeah!," and I'm in major support of this movement. Throughout my whole life, I've noticed how calorie counting has had this uncanny ability to create an incredibly unhealthy relationship between a woman and her food - starting as early as 5 years old.
I recently reflected on how much my mother shaped my body image and relationship with food, and afterward she reminded me of a story from my time in kindergarten. I had come home from school crying; a little girl at my lunch table had told me chocolate milk would make me fat because it had too many calories. My sweet mom sat me down, had me look at a nutrition label on some chocolate milk, and told me that my growing brain and body needed those calories and that they were healthy and good. To this day, I freakin' love chocolate milk (thanks, Mom). Also, when I read labels, I look for things like protein content, fat, and sugar to evaluate if it's something I want to be eating.
"Food is food and it can be used for fuel or pleasure, but it doesn't define my character."
While counting calories can certainly have its place, for many women, the sheer idea of it has also vilified different foods in our minds. I spoke with a woman named Brooke, who lost over 100 pounds - without calorie counting - and she summed it up quite well: "For so long I viewed food as a moral issue, like certain foods were 'good' or 'bad' and if I ate them I was 'good' or 'bad' . . . But that's warped. Food is food and it can be used for fuel or pleasure, but it doesn't define my character."
Yet if we can't quantify our food to lose weight, what can we do? As it turns out, several things. Six women I've spoken to in the past few months have given insight as to how they lost weight, ranging from 25 pounds to 100-plus, all by making sustainable changes to their diet that have nothing to do with calorie counting.
The 80/20 Approach
Kara Hamill told us that calorie counting was never her key to success - and she lost 30 pounds in 4 months. "There is way too much stress involved with counting calories!" she told POPSUGAR. "I used to do it but quickly realized it was all I would think about all day. I eat clean Monday through Friday and dabble with some comfort food on the weekends."
This mindset and diet concept is called the 80/20 rule. There's no rigidity, no counting, just making better choices, most of the time. This can mean whatever you want it to mean. Are four of your five daily meals super clean, and the fifth is a cheeseburger or a dessert? Awesome. Are six days a week clean eating days, and on the seventh you eat what you want? Great!
The key is balance. If you're focusing on healthier choices for most of the week or day, the rest falls into place, and you never feel restricted, starved, or like you're missing out on certain foods. There's also ZERO counting involved.
Kara's refrigerator staples are things like spring mix organic lettuce, baby spinach, hummus, Greek yogurt, chicken breast, coconut water, and kombucha - all very healthy foods! But she loves "good food and wine," and saves those for date nights with her husband. Sounds like a good life!
Flexible Dieting: IIFYM
Carrie McMahon was one of the first women who introduced me to the concept of counting macronutrients, or "macros." And since then, I've noticed that tons and tons of women are following this same diet concept, which focuses on the quality of calories versus the quantity: how many fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are you eating?
Counting macros is often referred to as flexible dieting, as it doesn't eliminate any food groups, yet helps you quantify your good choices and your "fun" choices, as trainer Brittany Dawn would put it. Brittany lost 50 pounds with this concept; you check the food to see "if it fits your macros," (IIFYM, as it's called in the fitness world) and go from there.
Brittany attributes her flexible diet to what helped her overcome anorexia athletica. "It's something I think many women deal with but are scared to admit," she said. "Flexible dieting was really the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It allowed me to incorporate foods that I enjoy eating without ever feeling restricted. Today, I'm binge-eating-free . . . almost two years . . . and I love the freedom of the dieting approach I take."
As mentioned, she refers to her treat foods as "fun foods," which is a really healthy and positive approach (much nicer than "cheat meal"). "I now incorporate healthy foods but fun foods, too . . . in moderation. It's all about balance."
"It wasn't until I quit the calorie counting that I finally gained a healthy relationship with food, my body, and my life."
Carrie had a similar binge-eating experience with restricting her calories. "I restricted my intake, counted calories . . . didn't allow myself to eat bread, pastries, cheese, chocolate, and all of the 'good stuff' except on my 'cheat day,' which was once a week," she said in her e-book, Why You Should Count Macros, Not Calories. "Well, my cheat days would almost always turn into an 'eat everything in sight' kind of day. This restrict/binge cycle led to guilt, and that guilt that completely took over my life and buried me in a dark hole. It wasn't until I quit the calorie counting lifestyle and picked up a flexible based diet through macronutrient tracking that I finally gained a healthy relationship with food, my body, and my life."
Mindful Eating and Meal Prep
Brooke told us that a key to her over-100-pound loss was a combination of mindful eating and meal prep. "Being obese, the priority was changing my eating habits and beliefs about food," she said. By partaking in mindful eating, Brooke was able to slow herself down and control portions.
So how does mindful eating work? It's essentially just more conscious eating. You think before, during, and after you eat, and you eat more slowly to ensure you feel satiated at the right time (i.e., before inhaling your food like a vacuum while thinking about other things). The opposite of mindful eating is mindless eating, like eating at your desk, while you're driving, while you're walking, or while you're watching TV. Sound familiar? It's a surefire way to pack in extra unwanted calories. You don't have to count, you just have to slow down.
In the same vein, Brooke took her mindfulness and put it into her preparation for the week. "Preparing meals at home is one of the most effective ways to manage weight, but it has to be easy and enjoyable or it won't happen consistently." Make sure you're mixing things up when you're meal prepping to avoid getting bored with your food, and consider your healthier choices.
Focus on the Positive: Find Healthy Foods You Love
Every single woman I spoke to referred to this concept as the main idea that helped them lose weight. Starting with Brooke, her first "small step" to major weight loss was "adding a green vegetable to every meal." By finding these foods that she loved, she was replacing poorer food choices with healthier ones, without even thinking about what she was "cutting out."
Caitlin lost 25 pounds this way. When we asked her how many calories she eats per day, she had no idea. "I try not to count and to feed myself what feels good and not obsess over numbers," she said. What feels good to Caitlin? "tons of veggies, a smoothie bowl, protein pancakes, fruit, eggs, and maybe a little quinoa." Her daily diet is incredibly balanced, and she'll still have "a cookie or some fruit as dessert."
"I try not to count, to feed myself what feels good, and not obsess over numbers."
Focusing on the healthy choices you do love is far less paralyzing, and opens you up to a world of choices. By honing in on better foods that you enjoy eating, you'll thing so much less about what you "can't" or "shouldn't" eat. This positive approach to weight loss makes it much more sustainable.
Kat, who lost 40 pounds, had the same feelings. "I've never really tracked calories; it is definitely helpful for some people, but in my opinion it's all about making good choices," she said. "It's all about knowing what is good or bad for your body, being aware of what you're consuming, and as long as it's healthy calories, the weight will come off." Her favorite healthy foods are vegetables and greens, so that definitely helped in her success.
So take whatever approach works best for you, but know that if calorie counting isn't working, it's more than OK. You absolutely can lose weight without counting calories, and you'll probably have a better relationship with food as a result - but don't take my word for it, take theirs.
Better Times: Amy Winehouse's 25 Most Memorable Moments
Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27 five years ago, but her spirit lives on in both her incredible singing voice and the recent, gripping documentary Amy. Despite her troubles with drugs and alcohol, Amy was a true talent - her music was raw, powerful, and (like the name of her debut album), frank. Her songs tugged at your heartstrings while also painting the picture of a deeply emotional and vulnerable soul, and since her tragic death, we've learned more and more about the woman behind the throaty vocals. We're looking back at some of Amy's best photos and performances in an effort to shed more light on the better times in her public life - keep reading to see them all now.
Pamela Anderson Stuns on the Red Carpet With Her Handsome Son Dylan Lee
Pamela Anderson dropped jaws in an elegant black gown at the Unitas Gala Against Human Trafficking in NYC on Tuesday night. The Baywatch beauty was joined by her younger son, Dylan Jagger Lee; the 18-year-old aspiring model posed for photos with his mom on the red carpet before heading inside, where they sat together for the event. Dylan shared a photo of the duo on Instagram that evening, writing, "Great event for a great cause." Dylan, along with his 20-year-old brother, Brandon, is the son of Pam and her former husband Tommy Lee.
Pam recently made headlines when she penned an opinion piece about the dangers of pornography for the Wall Street Journal. The former Playboy centerfold argued that porn "killed" the men's magazine and that the "terrible addiction . . . is ruining relationships." Pam also alluded to the infamous 1995 sex tape featuring herself and Tommy - the tape was taken from their home and distributed illegally - saying, "I know sometimes people think it's hypocritical of me because there was a tape stolen from my house, [but] I'm talking about violent porn."
16 Times Celebrities Helped Regular People Pull Off Epic Marriage Proposals
Celebrities are no strangers to pulling off stunning marriage proposals themselves, but the ones they help arrange for fans and friends are sometimes even more incredible. Beyoncé recently helped her choreographer pop the question to one of her tour dancers during "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," and Adele encouraged a woman to propose to her boyfriend on this year's Leap Day, proving that A-listers sure know how to amp up the romance. After all, what's better than having the love of your life get down on one knee? Having Queen Bey stand next to you while it happens, of course.
Netflix's Bloodline Is Ending After Season 3
Will the Rayburns ever find peace? Netflix is choosing to end its Florida-set drama Bloodline after season three. Kyle Chandler stars in the show, which revolves around the troubled Rayburn clan and their local legacy. The series is admittedly slow, and it hasn't been the awards juggernaut that Netflix was probably hoping for; Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn have been nominated for Emmys two years running, but they didn't win last year and we'll have to wait until Sunday to see if they can take home trophies for season two.
Though creators and producers were originally planning on a five- to six-season series, Netflix has cut its third-season order from 13 to 10 episodes, and it will be the show's last. The final short season will be available in July.
Make Your Picks on Our Emmy Ballot!
Prosthetic triage: Inside the Paralympic repair shop
When you're an elite Paralympic competitor and your artificial limb isn't feeling quite right, there's a repair shop at Rio's athletes' village that can help. It's a busy place that's part emergency room, part industrial workshop where staff speak a total of 29 languages.
Prosthetic triage: Inside the Paralympic repair shop
When you're an elite Paralympic competitor and your artificial limb isn't feeling quite right, there's a repair shop at Rio's athletes' village that can help. It's a busy place that's part emergency room, part industrial workshop where staff speak a total of 29 languages.
Scream Queens: Season 2 Looks Positively Freaky
Prepare to get even more hyped up for the second season of Scream Queens. This week, the season's first episodic pictures surfaced, introducing us to the second installment's crazy characters, old and new. Of course, we'd already met the hospital staff and patients through casting news, recent quotes from the stars, and behind-the-scenes snaps. But these official shots naturally up the ante.
17 Seriously Important Things to Know Going Into Scream Queens Season 2
Scream Queens is returning for a second season next week, and we can't wait to see what's up creator Ryan Murphy's sleeve. Thanks to the cast's appearance at PaleyFest earlier this year and their recent panel at Comic-Con, we now have a ton of intel about season two, including the setting, who's returning from the season one cast, and more. Take a look here to find out all the details (including the first few teasers!) that have been divulged so far, and check back for more news soon.
Articles
